Baseball Commems ??

PQpeace

While watching my Angels beat the Giants..I was thinking if there have been any commemorative coins minted with a baseball player on them ?
either silver or gold ?
Just wondering,
Larry

truthteller

Jackie Robinson modern commem. and the 1992 olympic dollar commem.(generic baseball player)

TRUTH

BSqr

You bet, the first time Baseball was played as an Olympic Sport in 1992 a $1 Silver Commem was minted with a pitcher on the obverse. This coin is often refered to as the Nolen Ryan coin because the design is said to be a copy of a baseball card featuring Nolen Ryan in mid-pitch.

Also, 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinon was minted in 1997 (Gold and silver)

PQpeace

Thanks guys for the quick answers.
I don't see these in the greysheet,unless I am looking in the wrong place
Did they come in fancy velvet boxes ?
I will be visiting my local coin shop this thursday to see if they have any.
What did they cost from the mint ??
and what do the sell for now ?
1 oz gold and silver ??
Appreciate the info.

Larry

BSqr

1992 Olympic Silver Dollar commem runs about $30-35 for either the proof or unc. Not sure what this issue cost was.
eBay auction here - 1992

1997 J Robinson Silver Dollar commems run about $80-100 for either proof or unc. The $5 gold coin runs about $300-350 for proof and $1000+ for the unc.
1997 - Robinson $5 Gold
1997 - Robinson $1 Silver Unc

BSqr

ttt - links added for reference

PQpeace

Very cool looking coins !
Is the gold coin 1 ounce ? or 1/2 ounce ??

Thanks again,
Larry

moosesr

Larry, I know you said silver or gold, but the 1995 olympic half dollar is a pretty nice looking coin and it is not very expensive.

Charlie

BSqr

all modern $5 gold commems are 1/4 oz. or more preceisely .242 oz

the reverse of the $5 gold has a baseball on it with the words "legacy of courage" inside
If you like the gold Robinson and are a baseball fan then there is also a collectors set that includes the $5 proof, baseball card, 50th ann. patch and a pin in a Cherry wood box
Robinson Legacy Collectors set

PQpeace

More great info !
Thanks for the time.
I really like gold or silver unc coins rather than proof..but 1000.00 for an unc gold piece is more than I want to pay for something like this
I will see what the coin shop has on thursday !
Thanks again,
Larry

BillJones

This is not a coin; it's a medalet. It was issued circa 1858 by the Springfield, Massachusetts Pioneer Baseball club. It's one of the earliest of a baseball collectables, and it is of great interest because it was issed prior to the Civil War. 75 pieces were minted in copper like this one, and 125 pieces were minted in white metal.

I have an very nice Mint State example of this piece for sale. Please send me a PM or email if you are interested. I also wrote an article about the Springfield team and the history of this piece that I will send to interested parties.

The computer is giving me trouble. I'll try to put up the pictures later.

ARGH

The Nolan Ryan exhibit in Alvin, TX has a nice collection of Ryan numismatic memorabilia mixed in with all his other memorabilia. There are, of course, plenty of silver rounds and the like, but they also put the 1992 Olympic Dollar there... right next to the baseball card that not so supposedly inspired it. There is absolutely no question that it's him on the coin.

I think the prices posted for the Jackie Robinson coins may be a little on the high side, but then the gold coins are more than a little difficult to find. I've been told that I'm very lucky to have found one (a proof) after only looking for about three months.

According to the most recent Phone Book (OK, I dabble in the dark side once in a while ), both Cuba and Liberia have also minted baseball commemoratives. I have never actually seen any of these coins, which given the fact that I probably would have bought one on the spot is probably a good thing.

Oh, and bleep your Angels. GO Giants!!!!

shirohniichan

I heard that a speculator tried to corner the market on one gold issue, and I thought it was the Jackie Robinson.

Can anyone verify this?

CalGold

PQ,

So you're an Angels' fan. Until last night at the game, I had never actually seen one. Lo and behold there were a few people in the stands wearing Angels hats. I just assumed that when the Angels played their stadium was empty except for a few fans of the visting team.

CG

keithdagen

There is no doubt that the 1992 Olympic dollar is Nolan Ryan. PCGS now has a signature series with his autograph on the insert.

Shiroh,

The Jackie Robinson $5 may have been hoarded, but it is doubtful. Total mintage was under 5,000 coins, if I remember, and odds are that many collectors got those issues initially. Back then, Coin World didn't start screaming about low-mintage bargains on the front page when commem issues weren't selling well.